Epigenetics, exposome and development of the intestinal microbiota in the neonate

Abstract

The intestinal microbiota is currently known as a "metabolic organ" that significantly influences the health of the host from the first years of life, being a crucial factor for optimal development of immunity and regulation of different physiological processes such as digestion, absorption, metabolism and synthesis of nutrients. This work aims to show the relationship between epigenetics, the exposome and the development of the intestinal microbiota in the newborn according to the route of birth. A documentary review of the literature of the last 5 years was carried out and it was found that the majority of non-communicable diseases are due to epigenetic modifications that can occur in the prenatal stages, together with environmental factors that also contribute to these epigenetic changes, term known as an exposome. In this sense, the greatest exposure of microorganisms for the development of intestinal colonization is at the time of birth, being Bifidobacterium one of the most important genera that contribute to immune function, found to a lesser extent in newborns born by abdominal route (cesarean section ), this type has been associated with dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota, generating consequences in the development of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, asthma, food allergy and autism spectrum disorder. Allowing to conclude that both epigenetics and the exposome and the intestinal microbiota are simultaneously related from the early stages of life and can be the cause of various non-communicable diseases.